The Video That Ignited the Protest (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
Washington – Rep. Al Green drew immediate attention during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday by displaying a sign that read “Black people aren’t apes,” prompting his swift removal from the House chamber.[1]
The Video That Ignited the Protest
Green’s action stemmed directly from a video Trump posted on Truth Social earlier in February. The clip featured the faces of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama superimposed on animated apes dancing to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” embedded in a montage pushing unsubstantiated 2020 election fraud claims.[2] Trump deleted the post amid backlash but offered no apology, describing it as a “Lion King” takeoff and a “strong post” on voter fraud. A White House official later blamed a staffer for the upload.[3]
Green positioned himself strategically on the aisle, ensuring Trump would pass close by as he entered. He later explained his intent clearly: “I wanted him to know that portraying President Obama and First Lady Obama as members of the primate family is not only unacceptable, it is something that is deplorable and something we will not tolerate.”[3] The 78-year-old congressman, who uses a cane, held the sign high despite attempts by staff to lower it.
Immediate Backlash in the House Chamber
Minutes into the address, a House staffer approached Green and urged him to leave. As he exited, Republican lawmakers moved to intervene. Majority Leader Steve Scalise reached for the sign, while Senators Markwayne Mullin and Roger Marshall positioned themselves to block cameras. Fellow Texan Rep. Troy Nehls lunged toward it, and the chamber filled with “U.S.A.” chants from the GOP side.[4]
Trump acknowledged the disruption briefly with a “thank you” before proceeding. Green waved the sign toward Republicans as he departed, undeterred. The episode highlighted deepening partisan divides, with some Democrats opting to sit rather than applaud Trump’s entrance.[5]
A Pattern of Defiant Stands
This marked the second consecutive year Green faced ejection during a Trump speech to Congress. In 2025, he shouted “No mandate!” and waved his cane, leading to removal by the sergeant-at-arms and a House censure vote of 244-198.[2] Democrats had sung “We Shall Overcome” in his defense post-censure.
- February 5, 2026: Trump shares the Obama-apes video on Truth Social.
- February 6: Post deleted; Trump defends it aboard Air Force One.
- February 24: Green holds sign during SOTU entrance.
- Prior year: Yelling disruption and censure follow similar pattern.
Green framed his actions as principled. “If you tolerate this level of racism, you perpetuate it, and I refuse to tolerate it,” he told reporters afterward. He added there would be “no question as to where I stand.”[2][6]
Broader Implications for Congressional Decorum
Green’s protest occurred amid Democratic calls for restraint during the address. Critics within his party had warned against distractions, yet he pressed forward, invoking figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. “He needs to know that there are some people who have the courage to tell him things that he doesn’t want to hear,” Green said.[5]
Potential repercussions loom in the Republican-controlled House, though Green dismissed them: “The consequences are subservient to what happened.”[3] His primary election in Texas’ 18th District approaches on March 3, where he has highlighted such moments in ads.
Key Takeaways
- Green’s sign directly challenged a racist video Trump shared and later removed.
- This follows his 2025 ejection and censure for a similar disruption.
- The incident underscores ongoing tensions over race and decorum in Congress.
Rep. Green’s unyielding approach forces a reckoning on inflammatory rhetoric from the highest office. As debates over presidential conduct intensify, such protests remind observers that silence can perpetuate division. What do you think about this bold display? Tell us in the comments.
